UN GHS - Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

The UN Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international system
created by the UN to address the classification of chemicals by types of hazard
and harmonize hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data
sheets. It aims at providing a basis for harmonization of rules and regulations
on chemicals at national, regional and worldwide level, an important factor
also for trade facilitation. GHS has been introduced to many countries/regions
such as Europe, USA, China, Japan and Korea, etc via their own legislation or
standards.

UN GHS comprises standards for:

Classification of chemicals based on their
hazards;

Labeling requirements;

Safety Data Sheet Requirements;.

UN GHS is updated frequently and the latest
version was the 6th revised edition released in 2015. Compared with GHS Rev.5(2013), GHS Rev.6(2015) includes, inter
alia, a new hazard class for desensitized explosives and a new hazard category
for pyrophoric gases; miscellaneous provisions intended to clarify the criteria
for some hazard classes (explosives, specific target organ toxicity following
single exposure, aspiration hazard and hazardous to the aquatic environment);
additional information to be included in the Safety Data Sheets (section 9);
revised and further rationalized precautionary statements and a new example in
Annex 7 addressing labelling of small packagings.

Classification

GHS classifies chemicals based on physical
hazards, health hazards and environmental hazards. The latest edition of UN GHS
contains criteria for the following classifications of hazards:

For example, the classification criteria
for flammable liquids are listed as follows:

Hazard Category

Criteria

Hazard Statement Codes and Hazard
Statement

1

Flash point<23℃ and initial boiling point≤35℃

H224 Extremely Flammable Liquid and
Vapour

2

Flash point<23℃ and initial boiling point>35℃

H225 Highly Flammable Liquid and Vapour

3

Flash point ≥ 23℃ and ≤60℃

H226 Flammable Liquid and Vapour

4

Flash point > 60℃ and ≤93℃

H227 Combustible Liquid

After a chemical has been classified,
standard hazard statements and codes will be assigned to describe the hazards
of a hazardous product and the degree of hazard. The hazard statements will
then be used in Safety Data Sheet and on the label.

Building
Blocks

GHS provides the flexibility to allow
countries to adopt the building blocks that they require to meet domestic
requirements. There may be differences in categories adopted by different
countries. However, the overall information such as label elements (pictograms,
signal words, hazard and precautionary statements) are harmonized.

For outer packaging, transport marks and
labels are usually required; Some authorities may also require GHS labels if
there is no transport label;

For single packaging, transport label and
hazard pictogram may appear on the same GHS label; In the event that transport
label and GHS hazard pictogram represents the same hazard, GHS hazard pictogram
can be omitted.

Safety
Data Sheet (SDS)

Safety Data Sheet is very important hazard
communication document to inform its audience of the hazards of a substance or
mixture and provide information on the safe storage, handling and disposal of
the substance or a mixture. GHS provides guidance on a SDS shall be prepared.

The information in SDSs should be presented
in the following 16 headings:

Identification;

Hazard(s) identification;

Composition/information on Ingredients;

First-aid measures;

Fire-fighting measures;

Accidental release measures;

Handling and storage;

Exposure controls/personal protection;

Physical and chemical properties and safety
characteristics;

Stability and reactivity;

Toxicological information;

Ecological information;

Disposal consideration;

Transport information;

Regulatory information;

Other information.

Usually, a SDS needs to be prepared in the
official language of a destination country.

Transitional
Period

Different countries have given different
transitional periods for substances and mixtures. GHS compliant labels and SDS
must be provided when the transition period is over. Some examples are listed
as follows:

CIRS a leading provider of comprehensive
chemical compliance services for companies doing businesses in/with EU and Asia
with a strong focus on chemical compliance.

We have provided one-stop chemical
notification and GHS services for many companies doing business in/with Asia
(for example, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Philippine). We help
them find out how their chemicals are regulated in those countries or regions
and offer free initial consultations about how to comply. If notification is required,
we help them submit chemical registrations. We also author or translate GHS
compliant SDS and label in accordance with their national chemical legislation.

If you have any questions about chemical
compliance in the US, EU and Asia-pacific region, please contact us at service@cirs-reach.com